Theodore Beyne music scores

Collection

Identifier: collection 540

Content Description

This collection consists almost entirely of original music scores and musical arrangements by Grand Rapids composer, Theodore Beyne. Notably, it also includes a sliding tool for transposing keys, copyrighted by Beyne in 1933.

Dates

Creation: 1900 - 1962

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open and available for researcher use.

Biographical / Historical

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Theodore J. “Ted” Beyne (1884–1963) was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Ferdinand and Theresa (Jacoba) Beyne. He immigrated to the United States in 1906 and that same year married Marie C. Gommer (1882–1960) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The couple had seven children.

Beyne worked as a plastering contractor in Grand Rapids but was best known for his long association with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. He initially served as a violinist and later as the orchestra’s manager and a member of its board of directors. In recognition of his service, Beyne was named an honorary director for the final five of his twenty-three years on the board, the first person to receive this designation.

During the Great Depression, when his contracting work declined, Beyne devoted more time to composing music, writing works ranging from piano solos and duets to full orchestral symphonies. His arrangement of Hoagy Carmichael’s Star Dust was performed by the WPA orchestra at the John Ball Park band shell.

Beyne died in 1963 and was buried in Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids. In 1980, his Scherzo movement from Symphony No. 1 was performed at the dedication of DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids as part of the “Century of Music” program.

Full Extent

3 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Theodore J. “Ted” Beyne (1884–1963), a Dutch-born musician and composer, was a founding violinist, manager, and longtime board member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. This collection documents his work through original music manuscripts and arrangements, ranging from duet pieces to full orchestral works, including Symphony No. 1, whose “Scherzo” was performed at the 1980 dedication of DeVos Hall. The collection also includes a 1933 sliding tool for transposing musical keys. Researchers will find the collection valuable for studying Beyne, the history of music and performance in Grand Rapids, local symphonic development, and the contributions of immigrants to West Michigan’s cultural life.